The female-focused race is the first of its kind in Northeast Wisconsin. It is designed to empower women and promote health and camaraderie, while celebrating female athletes of all levels and abilities.

"As a health system we were looking at ways to improve the health of our female population," race director Linda Maxwell said. "In doing our research we found that these all-women events, were a great way to inspire women to boost their fitness level."

Terra Kositzke runs a stretch about halfway through the Bellin Women's Half Marathon on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015. Kositzke would finish first overall with a time of 1:28:46. Kyle Bursaw/P-G Media/@kbursaw

Terra Kositzke is the first to cross the finish line of the inaugural Bellin Women's Half Marathon with a time of 1:28:46 at Bay Beach Amusement Park in Green Bay, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015. Kyle Bursaw/P-G Media/@kbursaw

Robyn Lauritsen crosses the finish line holding hands with her dad, Keith Lauritsen, who hopped in to run beside her for the final three miles of the inaugural Bellin Women's Half Marathon at Bay Beach Amusement Park in Green Bay, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015. Kyle Bursaw/P-G Media/@kbursaw

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The marathon's course extended from Bay Shore Park in New Franken to Bay Beach Amusement Park in Green Bay.

Twelve hundred participants ran the 13.1 miles as individuals, while another 300 were part of two-person relay teams.

Runners ranged from 14 to 72 years-old, all from different places and backgrounds. Each has their own reason for running.

For Michelle Bailey of Cottage Grove, this was her eighth marathon.

She said running has been her passion since junior high school. Yet, even with her history of running this all-women event is a whole other experience.

"With this marathon, you can just feel the energy," Bailey said. "I love that women of all ages and all shapes and sizes have the courage to come out and do this."

Two runners, Julie Aderwold of Suamico and Chrstine Finstad of De Pere only know each other through mutual friends but have created a sort of bond by crossing the finish line together nearly ever time they run the same event.

Both women said they stick to a training program and healthy eating regimen during the weeks leading up a half marathon.

They said what pushed them during this run was the story of Kathrine Switzer, who appeared as the keynote speaker at the event's dinner, Friday night.

"I just kept thinking of her," Aderwold said.

In 1967, Switzer became the first female in history to run the Boston Marathon. She did so even after the race director assaulted her on the course and told her she was not allowed to run because she was female.

"I was radicalized enough by my experience that I have devoted my life to create even more new opportunities for women in sports," Switzer said.

Switzer has ran 400 races in 27 different countries and has now set out to instill fearlessness in all women.

She said female-focused events like the Bellin Women's Half Marathon are great ways for women runners to gain strength in less intimidating, less competitive environments found in other races.

Aderwold said she feels most runs, despite if they are co-ed, do have that supportive environment but she does see the value in an all-women event.

"I really hope this inspires women, maybe those who have never done something like this before, to take that first step," Aderwold said.